Showing 2172 items
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Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Pamphlet, Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum, 2004
The Legacy of Johann August Schwerkolt, pioneer.The Legacy of Johann August Schwerkolt, pioneer.The Legacy of Johann August Schwerkolt, pioneer.schwerkolt, johann august, schwerkolt family, schwerkolt cottage -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document, Jane Dyer, History of the Edward Carter Holmes Family: 1800 - 2006, 2009
Based on research compiled by her mother, Elizabeth Chatham, this was donated as part of the Estate of P and M.E. Chatham in 2008. The document continued to live as Elizabeth hoped. The most current edition is 2024.Fifteen page typed documentedward carter holmes, eva mckie, aumuller, launchley, elizabeth chatham (holmes), loma pescott (salmon)coghill family, gordon spittle, henry augustus salmon, sarah kitching, chatham-holmes collection, ascot victoria, pioneers of ascot, pioneers of geelong, pioneers of clunes, pioneers of ballarat district, pioneers of larpent, pioneer pastoralists, ly-ee-moon, shipwreck, pickford family, arthur pickford, world war 1, william coghill, william coghill junior, pioneers of tourello -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Book - At Rest: A History of Box Hill Cemetery, Celestina Sagazio
Box Hill Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable identities such as Sidney Myer, C. J. Dennis and Joy Hester, pioneers, leaders in their fields, businessmen and women, church representatives, and people from all walks of life and numerous cultures. The successes, struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of scores of individuals and families have been documented as the fledgling burial ground evolved into the serene and expansive cemetery valued by many people.A book of 25cm H, containing 250 p; index; referencesnon-fictionBox Hill Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable identities such as Sidney Myer, C. J. Dennis and Joy Hester, pioneers, leaders in their fields, businessmen and women, church representatives, and people from all walks of life and numerous cultures. The successes, struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of scores of individuals and families have been documented as the fledgling burial ground evolved into the serene and expansive cemetery valued by many people.box hill cemetery (vic.), box hill (vic.) -- history, celestina sagazio -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - (Copy) BENDIGO & VICINITY, c1895
Bendigo and Vicinity: A comprehensive history of her past, and a resume of her resources: Together with the biographies of her representative pioneers, public, commercial, and professional men. (1895). Compiled by W. B. Kimberly. Publisher: F W Niven & Co Printers and Publishers, Melbourne and Ballarat. 273 pages. Illustrations: Photographs, illustrations, listing of dividends, copies of collages. Markings: Royal Historical Society of Victoria – Bendigo Branch In front and back. Inscription reads: Donated by Hilda Meurer. To the Historical Society, daughter of pioneers Mr. & Mrs. A Meurer. July 6th, 1954W B Kimberlybook, bendigo, bendigo history & its people, bendigo history, family tree, councilor, gold, biographies, travel to australia -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book - Family Bible, John Murphy Company, The Holy Bible Douay Version, 1899
This Bible and cover belonged to Ethel Ardlie, nee Ryan (1880-1967). In 1903 she married Arthur Stanley Ardlie of Warrnambool. Arthur Ardlie was the son of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the grandson of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. Ethel and Arthur Ardlie had three daughters, Olive (1905- 1912), Dorothy (1910-1993) and Agnes (1915-1993). They lived at Aroona, Princess Street, Warrnambool.These items are of great interest firstly because they are examples of the type of Bible and cover that families owned in the mid 20th century. Also they are mementoes of a prominent family in Warrnambool in the 20th century, with the Bible containing important information on this family. .1 This is a Bible with a black cover with gold lettering on the spine. The cover is stained. The pages contain the Old Testament (1086 pages), a Family Register section, the New Testament (306 pages) and some coloured maps. Amongst the pages are two pressed pansies and two loose sheets. .2 This is a brown tooled leather cover for the Bible with a brown silk lining and a brown cord attached to the top of the spine for use as a bookmark. The front cover has an embossed image of seven figures. The edges of the spine of the cover are torn. Ethel M. Ardlie (x2) Aroona, Warrnambool ardlie family, history of warrnambool -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Reflections of the Past (Vol. 2), 2001
... is given to some aspects of local history, the pioneer families ...Following the success of Volume 1, this follow-up edition is slightly different to the first one by gathering photos together under some new headings More attention is given to some aspects of local history, the pioneer families and community organisations than previously. The historical society's main interest is the history of the Dandenong Ranges and the communities of Belgrave, Tecoma, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey and surrounds.A photographic history of Belgrave, Upwey, Tecoma and Upper Ferntree Gully. The front cover is of a painting 'Wintry Sunset Belgrave 1913' from a series of 36 paintings by Charlie Hammond between 1910 and 1953. It is of the country town, Belgrave, showing a dirt road with a bullock team, with trees surrounding the road. Inside, are black and white and coloured photographs of paintings, people in general life and historical information about the areas noted. Pp.104.non-fictionFollowing the success of Volume 1, this follow-up edition is slightly different to the first one by gathering photos together under some new headings More attention is given to some aspects of local history, the pioneer families and community organisations than previously. The historical society's main interest is the history of the Dandenong Ranges and the communities of Belgrave, Tecoma, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey and surrounds. australian history, history of the dandenong ranges victoria, history victoria -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The Diaries of Sarah Midgley and Richard Skilbeck, 1967
... - hand view of early pioneering life. The Skilbeck family ...Pioneer diaries of early Australian settlers, Sarah Midgley and Richard Skilbeck.Tan hard covered book with tan and yellow dust jacket. Title and text is black. Front cover has framed drawing of cottage taken from photograph which is included in the book. Map of area is on inside front and back covers.208 pages. It has a number of black and white photographic plates included.non-fictionPioneer diaries of early Australian settlers, Sarah Midgley and Richard Skilbeck.sarah midgley, richard skilbeck, diaries of sarah midgley and richard skilbeck, yangery, early pioneer life, wesleyan church warrnambool, yangery koroit -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph, Giovanni Brusaschi of Dunach, Victoria
Giovanni Brusaschi was born in 1827 in Lombardy, Italy. He arrived in Victoria seeking gold in the 1850s. He was a pioneer viticulturist and a leading citizen of the Clunes district. Marrying Alice Mary O'Sullivan who was born in County Kerry, Ireland, she arrived in Australia in 1863. Settling at Dunach, about 10 km from Clunes, they had a vineyard, made wine, and kept pigs, sheep and cows. They had 4 sons and 4 daughters, and looked after a number of the orphaned Invernizzi family (there mother was Alices' sister)An Italian born bearded man who settled at Dunach near Clunes. giovanni brusaschi, dunach, clunes, brusaschi's hill, swiss/italian -
Nhill & District Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - 1953 Wedding dress of Mary Pilgrim
Mary Pilgrim married Graham Keam 1953 at Winiam Methodist Church by Rev. A. C. Boquest.The Pilgrim family has been in the district for generations, possibly one of the early pioneers of Winiam, Victoria.A charming white lace frock with a train and scalloped neckline set with diamente. Her veil of embroidered tulle was held in place with a coronet of orange blossoms.scalloped neckline set with diamente, and embroidery on veil.1953 wedding dress, pilgrim, keam, ceremonies, marriage, bride, textiles - bridal - fashion -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - LONG GULLY HISTORY GROUP COLLECTION: KOCK'S PIONEER QUARTZ CRUSHING PLANT LONG GULLY
The initial partnership in a quartz crushing plant between Henry Koch, Simon Albert and Charles Wallin was dissolved in 1860 with Koch becoming the sole owner. In 1866 the crushing plant consisted of a 50 hp engine and 48 stamping heads capable of crushing 600 tons of quartz per week. By 1902 there were 72 stamps and this was by far the largest crushing plant in the area, serving many quartz mines. Henry Koch (1800-1889) was a German sailor who signed off when his ship reached Melbourne in 1851. Having heard of the gold discovery he proceeded to Bendigo where he was initially employed in puddling in the Myers Flat area. He was soon employed and then made partner in a quartz crushing plant that he became sole owner of in 1860. He was also landlord at the British and American Hotel and the Silver Mines Hotel. HE also started the Perseverance United gold claim. He married Anna Maria Theresia Heinz in 1857. In 1872 he sold the crushing plant for 75,000 pounds and took his family back to Germany. He resumed his trade as a ship builder although he maintained many Bendigo mining interests.Yellow tone photo which has some green through it photo of Kock's Pioneer Quartz Crushing Plant, Long Gully. No 31 printed at the top. The photo has a decorative frame around it. It is a N. J. Caire Photo, Sandhurst and a Casey & Wenborn's Print. Forbes & Holmes, Agents. The photo has a long two storey building with chimneys and some smaller buildings and tall mine chimneys. Printed below is Perseverance United Claim and Windmill Hill in the distance. Paper is mounted on yellow card which is mounted on dark tan card and laminated.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - koch's pioneer quartz crushing plant - long gully, n j caire, casey & wenburn, forbes & holmes, perseverence united claim, windmill hill -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - LONG GULLY HISTORY GROUP COLLECTION: KOCK'S MINE WORKERS
The initial partnership in a quartz crushing plant between Henry Koch, Simon Albert and Charles Wallin was dissolved in 1860 with Koch becoming the sole owner. In 1866 the crushing plant consisted of a 50 hp engine and 48 stamping heads capable of crushing 600 tons of quartz per week. By 1902 there were 72 stamps and this was by far the largest crushing plant in the area, serving many quartz mines. Henry Koch (1800-1889) was a German sailor who signed off when his ship reached Melbourne in 1851. Having heard of the gold discovery he proceeded to Bendigo where he was initially employed in puddling in the Myers Flat area. He was soon employed and then made partner in a quartz crushing plant that he became sole owner of in 1860. He was also landlord at the British and American Hotel and the Silver Mines Hotel. HE also started the Perseverance United gold claim. He married Anna Maria Theresia Heinz in 1857. In 1872 he sold the crushing plant for 75,000 pounds and took his family back to Germany. He resumed his trade as a ship builder although he maintained many Bendigo mining interests.Photocopy of an article from the Bendigo Advertiser, dated 5/5/1982 titled Fortunes carried in mine. Written above the photo is: Men from Kock's Mine Long Gully. One man is wearing a suit and the rest are in work clothes. The mine was worked, with some breaks, between 1857 and 1871 when the Pioneer Company took over, and was later known as Koch's Pioneer and Perseverance and worked continuously until 1924, a period of 53 years of uninterrupted mining.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - kock's mine workers, bendigo advertiser 5/5/1982, kochs pioneer mine, henry koch, havilah company's claim, garden gully line of reef, paddy's gully line, koch's pioneer and perseverance -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Negative - ALBERT RICHARDSON COLLECTION: KOCH'S PIONEER CRUSHING BATTERY (EARLY PERIOD)
The initial partnership in a quartz crushing plant between Henry Koch, Simon Albert and Charles Wallin was dissolved in 1860 with Koch becoming the sole owner. In 1866 the crushing plant consisted of a 50 hp engine and 48 stamping heads capable of crushing 600 tons of quartz per week. By 1902 there were 72 stamps and this was by far the largest crushing plant in the area, serving many quartz mines. Henry Koch (1800-1889) was a German sailor who signed off when his ship reached Melbourne in 1851. Having heard of the gold discovery he proceeded to Bendigo where he was initially employed in puddling in the Myers Flat area. He was soon employed and then made partner in a quartz crushing plant that he became sole owner of in 1860. He was also landlord at the British and American Hotel and the Silver Mines Hotel. HE also started the Perseverance United gold claim. He married Anna Maria Theresia Heinz in 1857. In 1872 he sold the crushing plant for 75,000 pounds and took his family back to Germany. He resumed his trade as a ship builder although he maintained many Bendigo mining interests.Envelope containing a negative of Koch's Pioneer Crushing Battery. Image shows large building, chimney on left. Negative not scanned.bendigo, mining, koch's pioneer crushing battery -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, The Rooks Family, 2021
... . The Rooks family were early pioneers of Vermont. Charles Francis ...A4, 9p. A history of the Rooks Family from 1854non-fictionA4, 9p. A history of the Rooks Family from 1854rooks family, rooks abraham 1824-1889, scotchman's hill, wesleyan chapel, rooks ina, rooks charles francis, rooks henry -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - JOHN MATCHETT & THE BELFAST GROCERY STORE
John Matchett was born in Corbrackey, Ireland in 1828. His Wholesale and Family Grocers started in 1857. It was on the Corner of Hargreaves and Edward Streets, Bendigo. It was known as the BELFAST STORES, HARGREAVES-STREET WEST SANDHURST. After his death in1887, Robert Matchett carried on the Grocery and Produce Business.Digital Documents, John Matchett & the Belfast Grocery Store, written to CD containing historical information. It includes notes on the Matchett family history.names of bendigo pioneers, john matchett, matchett wholesale and family grocers -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Financial record - Account - J. Campbell Family Draper to Mrs Cummings, n.d
J.Campbell started a Draper , Outfitter and Milliner store in the Pioneer house on Percy Street in Portland Victoria in 1896. Advertisements found on Trove from November 20 1899 shows the store selling Spring goods, Millinery, Dress goods, prints, piques and muslins. Another advertisement on Trove from September 27 1907 shows the store showing their Spring and Summer Goods, including Choice Millinery, Latest Dress Fabrics, Laces and Silks, Blouses and Skirts.Paper account from J. Campbell, wholesaler and family draper to Mrs Cummings, in the sum of 4/6 for a blouse. Printed form, details handwritten in black ink top right hand corner is missing, and top left hand corner has two holes in the paper. Paper is cream and has darker brownish patches at the top. PIONEER HOUSE PERCY STR / Portland, Mar / Mrs Cummings / BOUGHT OF J. CAMPBELL, / (LATE A. MARRIOTT.) / Wholesale and Family Draper, Outfitter and Milliner. / DRESSMAKING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. / Accounts rendered monthly to avoid errors / Jan ** 1 Blouse 4/6 4.6draper, portland trade, accounts, womens clothing, city of portland, betty vivian, betty vivian collection -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Book, The Dahlsen Story, a pioneering Family in Gippsland since 1862, 2005
... , a pioneering Family in Gippsland since 1862. Book ...A comprehensive account of the Dahlsen family in Gippsland, and their diverse business interests for over 125 years. Illustrated with photographs, family tree. Has end notes and index.transport, ships and shipping, tourism, genealogy -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Functional object - Plateway horse-drawn wagon, c. 1883
This Plateway Wagon was built by Pengelly's Carriage Works, North Brighton 1883. The wagon was owned by the Corrigan family, market gardeners in Noble Park. It is an original, timber horse-drawn wagon that used the the Plateway or Wheelway from 1890. These heavily laden market gardener’s carts could travel relatively smoothly and safely, along the steel rails on the main roads of Moorabbin Parish to Melbourne and St Kilda markets to sell their produce, at a time when the road surfaces were rutted and hazardous.After the Henry Dendy Special Survey of the Parish of Moorabbin in 1841, land was sold to pioneer settlers who developed market gardens, vineyards and fruit gardens ( orchards ). These market gardeners took their produce in heavily laden horse-drawn Wagons along the steel Plateway to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. An original, timber horse-drawn wagon of a type that used the Plateway or Wheelway. The steel rails of the Plateway played such an important role from the 1890’s in the transportation of produce along the City of Moorabbin’s major roads, (including Centre Road, Bentleigh), to reach the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. Heavily laden market gardener’s carts , drawn by a horse, could travel relatively smoothly and safely, along the steel rails to city markets, at a time when the road surfaces were rutted and hazardous. horse, melbourne, brighton, moorabbin, steel, henry, dendy, fruit, gardens, roads, plateway, wheelway, bentleigh, vineyards, orchards, draught, markets, st kilda, wagons -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, baby's dress, c1900
... of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer... of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer ...This infant's, heavily hand-embroidered dress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire c1900The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families An infant's, white, cotton dress with heavily machine-embroidered bodice and hand-embroidered around neck and sleevesclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, lady's nightgown, c1900
... of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire... of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire ...This white, cotton, lady's nightgown with embroidery and feather stitch is a fine example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer families had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of the many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families.A white cotton lady's nightgown with embroidery and feather stitchclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, early settlers, blackburn nance, craftwork -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, baby's dress box-pleated, c1900
... of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market... of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market ...This white, fine lawn cotton baby's box pleated dress with collar and matching bib is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire.The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. A white, fine lawn cotton, box -pleated baby's dress with collar and matching bibclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, craft work, blackburn nance -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, girl's dress, c1880
... and craftwork of the women of the pioneer families. The Maggs family ...The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of the many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesThis hand embroidered girls dress with cut-work is and example of the dressmaking skills and craftwork of the women of the pioneer families. The Maggs family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA young girl's dress, all hand embroidered, with cut-work c1880 clothing, brighton, moorabbin, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, maggs geoff, craftwork, pioneers early settlers -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Decorative object - red corded ribbon bow, Decoration
The use and origin of this item have not been identified. It comes from the estates of Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes (1915-1993) were the daughters of law clerk, Arthur Ardlie and his wife Ethel, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. Until the use and origin of this item can be established, then it remains an item of little importance. It is retained as a memento of the Ardlie family, a prominent one in Warrnambool in both the 19th and 20th centuries. This is a red corded ribbon bow with an ornamental metal key attached to the bow top by thread. There are two metal crowns pasted on to the ends of the bow and a cord tassel hangs from the back of the bow. The ends of the bow have cloth fringed ends and some black smudges on the cord. ardlie family, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document - sale of house, 2002
This item is an estate agent’s advertisement for the sale of the house ‘Aroona’ in Princess Street in Warrnambool. There is no date for the advertisement but there is a handwritten note that indicates that the house was sold in July 2002 for $600,000. ‘Aroona’ was built in the 19th century and was the family home of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie after their marriage in 1903. It remained the family home until the 1940s. Arthur and Ethel Ardlie had three children, Olive (1905-1912), Dorothy (1910-1993) and Agnes (1915-1993). Law clerk Arthur Ardlie was the son of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the grandson of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. This item is of minor significance as a document giving details of the sale of a house in Warrnambool that is of some historical interest.This is a sheet of paper with colour photographs, printed material and some handwritten annotations on the front and back.ardlie family, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Letter - Letterhead and Birthday Card, c. 1950
These items are part of the collection belonging to the Misses Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of the Warrnambool law clerk, Arthur Ardlie and his wife Ethel, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of the Warrnambool pioneer settlers, John and Mary Ardlie. ‘Aroona’ was the name of the family home in Princess Street, Warrnambool. These items are of minor interest as part of the collection of items belonging to the Misses Ardlie of Warrnambool in the 20th century. The Ardlie family was prominent in Warrnambool throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. .1 A piece of grey-coloured paper folded in two to make four pages. The edges are rough. There is blue printing on the first page. .2 A pink-coloured card with serrated gold edging, the Rotary logo, blue printing and handwriting in blue ink. .1 Aroona Warrnambool Phone 235 .2 Rotary Club of Warrnambool ardlie family, rotary club of warrnambool -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Garden Hill, Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Kangaroo Ground, 3 February 2008
The original house was built around 1850 was one of Kangaroo Ground's earliest homes, part of which remains today. Built by Scottish farmer Andrew Harkness who acquired the property in 1849 at the top of the hill with magnificent panoramic views as far as Kinglake, the same year he married Sarah Oswin. The property was known as Garden Hill from at least 1865. Andrew and Sarah had four sons and five daughters. Harkness was a founder of the Kangaroo Ground School and one of the first to suggest establishing the Eltham District Road Board (1858-71) of which he was a member, the pre-cursor to the Shire of Eltham (1871-1994). He was also a Trustee of the Kangaroo Ground Cemetery. His daughter Fanny married farmer Alexander White who purchased the property in 1893. Alexander White died in 1906 and ownership transferred to Fanny White. Son, Robert White was a Councillor of the Shire of Eltham at the time the Shire acquired two acres of land on the adjacent property from the Mess brothers for the creation of the Shire of Eltham Memorial Park (1921) in which the Shire of Eltham War Memoirial tower was erected (1926). Fanny White donated a small section of land from the Garden Hill property to facilitate entry access to the park. The White family sold the property to Sir Herbert Gepp in 1925. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p29 Garden Hill, on Yarra Glen Road, Kangaroo Ground, near the War Memorial is well named. The old house and gardens overlook a magnificent panorama extending to Kinglake. The original house, built around 1850, was one of Kangaroo Ground’s earliest, and part of it remains in today’s timber house. The house was built by the early and prominent settler Andrew Harkness. Later it was occupied for a long time by Sir Herbert Gepp, renowned Australia wide.1 Harkness and Gepp are buried in the Kangaroo Ground Cemetery. Scottish farmer Harkness, who was born in 1817, acquired this property in 18492 and he and his family occupied it until the early 1920s. Harkness cleared its 152 acres (61.4 ha), fenced it and grazed sheep and cattle. Harkness proved a valuable community member. When only ten families lived in the district, he and other settlers set up a school in 1852, with Andrew Ross as the first teacher. Harkness was also one of the first to suggest establishing the Eltham District Road Board, of which he was a member for around 15 years. He was also a trustee of the Kangaroo Ground Cemetery. Harkness married in 1854 and had four sons and five daughters. The first part of the timber house he built included a kitchen-living room and a parlor. The living room’s large fireplace was bricked-in and modernised in 1940. Beside it is the old baker’s oven with its original iron door replaced by a wooden one. It is thought two wattle-and-daub huts, used for a bedroom and bathroom, were built to the west. Harkness’ son-in-law, farmer Alexander White, who had seven sons, bought the property in 1893. Harkness’ grand-daughter Flora married Ewen Cameron who became Minister for Health and was later knighted; he was not related to Ewen Hugh Cameron, a Member of the Legislative Assembly. In 1923 the White family sold the property, called Kilby Park, to Sir Herbert Gepp, who renamed it Garden Hill. Gepp used the property, which was still on the original New South Wales title, as a hobby farm. Robert White stayed on to manage the farm for a while, living in a house on the property. Gepp was born in 1877 and at 16 years began working as a junior chemist with the Australian Explosives and Chemical Company at Deer Park near Melbourne. Gepp was a pioneer in applying enlightened labour policies in industry. He initiated the Broken Hill Progress Association, to improve living conditions. It laid the ground work for the welfare schemes pursued by companies after World War One. During the mid 20th century Gepp was the most prominent liberal thinker associated with conservative politics. As a friend of Prime Minister John Curtin, he contributed to post-war reconstruction. Gepp returned to private industry and retired in 1950. Gepp made significant contributions to the solution of the great metallurgical problems of the mining industry. He was an advocate of the role of science in industry, government and the economy and helped to establish several organizations including the CSIR and the Institute of Public Affairs.3 After Sir Herbert died in 1954 his son Orwell continued to farm the property part-time. When Lady Gepp died in 1963, the land was divided among the five children, although Orwell continued to farm it as a hobby. In 1966, a daughter, Mardi Gething, now married, settled in the house. Another daughter, Kathleen, built her house close by on the property. After the Board of Works designated the property as part of a reserve for a possible reservoir, the family sold all, except the minimum 20 acres allowed, to the Board in the 1970s. Orwell then leased what was the family property from the Board to continue grazing. The two sisters and brother continued to live on the property.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, kangaroo ground -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Ellis Cottage, Diamond Creek, 23 January 2008
... significant for its association with the Ellis family, who were... significant for its association with the Ellis family, who were ...Built by William Ellis in 1865 of local uncut stone about 30cm thick, the cottage is now a museum and home to the Nillumbik Historical Society. Ellis Cottage is historically significant for its association with the Ellis family, who were pioneers of the Diamond Creek district and the benefactors of the notable Nillumbik Cemetery gateway. It illustrates the development of farming in the area. Ellis Cottage is historically and technically significant for its rare use of uncut local stone for building purposes. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p79 Ellis Cottage, built by William Ellis, is a memorial to the courage of pioneers in the Diamond Valley area.1 Now a museum and home to the Nillumbik Historical Society, it is a fine example of an early settler’s house in Diamond Creek – and one of the few original buildings standing from the middle of the 19th century. It is a poor man’s cottage – typical of the dwellings of those who had to work hard to wrest a living in this district, because most of the land was not fertile enough for major forms of farming. The pretty stone cottage at 10 Nillumbik Square, built in 1865, is made of local uncut stone about one foot (30 cm) thick. It once stood near the centre of the 147 acres (59.4ha) Ellis bought in 1850. The property extended from Diamond Creek to Reynolds Road and from Perversi Avenue to the Wattle Glen School. It stood in the electoral parish of Nillumbik. The Nillumbik township (later called Diamond Creek) was not created until 1867. In 1912 the property was cut in half by the new railway to Hurstbridge. Ellis paid £147/10/- for the land - about three times what a Victorian farmer would usually earn in a year. Despite the poor quality soil Ellis became a very successful farmer with an orchard, vegetables and a dairy herd. Five years later, in 1855, Ellis bought 70 acres (28.3ha) from neighbour, Hugh Larimour. In 1857 Ellis bought 208 acres (84ha) at Yarra Glen. In 1877 he bought 122 acres (49.3ha) at Diamond Creek and later bought land at Greensborough and Woodstock. Ellis was born in 1815 at Blackawton, a small Devonshire village, and became a tenant farmer. It is not known why Ellis came out to Australia or settled in Diamond Creek. In 1847 he married Margaret Child at the Melbourne Presbyterian Church. Ellis and Child had no children and 18 years after the wedding, while probably living in Kangaroo Ground, Ellis built this small cottage. The simple cottage has a central hall and two rooms on each side. To maximise the small space the ceiling cavity was designed large enough to provide sleeping accommodation accessed via a ladder. Each room was heated by an open fireplace and the one in the kitchen was large enough to roast a sheep. A large cellar under the front room probably stored farm produce. Water came from a well as reticulated water did not arrive at Diamond Creek until 1914. In 1870 Ellis’ 22 year-old nephew Nathaniel joined him from England.2 Until 1890 they developed Ellis Park, praised in The Evelyn Observer, May 30,1890 as a model farm. Ellis had become wealthy, and on his death in 1896 his estate was valued at £9000. In his will he left £100 to construct memorial gates at the Nillumbik Cemetery where he was buried.3 Ellis left the farm to his second wife Louisa. As he had no children, upon her death the farm passed to Nathaniel, but he did not take it up. The farm was sold and leased several times until 1967, when engineer Phillip Lovitt bought the property and carried out major structural works. The Shire of Diamond Valley bought it in the 1980s and in 1989 restored it with the Nillumbik Historical Society. The stone walls of the cottage had been plastered with mud and straw mortar, which were removed as they were riddled with vermin. Doors, windows and a floor were replaced and the original roof of timber shingles had been replaced with slate. The well was too deeply cracked to be restored, so was used for a flower bed. Two mature Italian Cypresses at the entry are also heritage protected as they relate to similar trees planted at Shillinglaw Cottage and other early buildings in Nillumbik Shire.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, ellis cottage, diamond creek, nillumbik historical society, william ellis -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Edendale Farm Homestead, 29 January 2008
Edendale Farm is Nillumbik Shire Council's environment centre situated in Gastons Road, Eltham between the railway and the Diamond Creek. The homestead on the property was built in 1896 and is of historical significance, being the subject of a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The Edendale property was originally part of an extensive land purchase in 1852 from the Crown by pioneer Eltham farmer Henry Stooke. He initially purchased 51 acres and later expanded his holdings by purchasing another three adjacent Crown allotments extending northerly from Josiah Holloway's Little Eltham subdivision. Despite clearing the land, Stooke did not build on this property, choosing to live on his property "Rosehill" at Lower Plenty. In 1896 Thomas Cool, Club Manager of the Victoria Coffee Palace in Melbourne purchased 7 acres of the original Stooke land and built the house now known as Edendale. Cool did not farm the land, instead using it as a gentleman’s residence, retiring to Eltham at weekends. In 1918 he purchased an additional 7 acres but in 1919 he sold the property. Later owners included J.W. Cox, the Gaston family and D. Mummery. In the 1980s the Eltham Shire Council purchased the site for use as a Council depot, but this use did not proceed. Subsequently, it was used as the Council pound. The Edendale Farm Pet Education and Retention Centre was established in the summer of 1988/1989 and was set up to replace the existing dog kennels with a high standard pet retention centre. The design style of the building was established to compliment the features of the existing house. It was equipped with 10 retention pens, a veterinary room and a pet education area where school children and other interested parties learnt about pet care procedures. It was later developed into a community farm and was run by an advisory committee and in 2000 it became an Environment Centre. In early 2006 an advisory committee was established for the development of a master plan for future development at Edendale Farm. The committee included Russell Yeoman, a former long-time shire planner and founding member of the Eltham District Historical Society. At the time of filming the Master Plan and future for Edendale was about continuing to develop Edendale as a centre of environment learning and looking at expanding displays and school program, running a lot more of life-long learning and workshops around sustainable living. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p101 A sharp turn from busy Wattletree Road by the railway line, brings a surprise. Only 1.4 km from Eltham’s centre, sheep feed, blissfully unaware of the hectic suburban activity so close by. At the entrance to the 5.6ha Edendale Farm is another surprise. A work of art that looks like huge tree trunks transformed into bowler and top-hatted men. The Fences Act 1968 by Tony Trembath with Mark Cain and John Doyle, 1996, is classified by the National Trust of Australia as having Regional Significance. The title refers to a government act on disputes between neighbors over the placement of fences and boundaries. This takes a ‘wry swipe’ at a community divided by trivial squabbles. It also celebrates making do with limited resources.1 Further along on the left, the office wall is decorated with a massive Eltham Copper Butterfly, designed by Robert Tickner and made by school children with used plastic bottles and other waste material. Nillumbik Council runs Edendale as an Environmental Education Centre, to help preserve and enhance the local environment. As early as 1988 the former Eltham Shire Council realised Edendale’s importance in meeting people’s needs, particularly of children, to enjoy farmland. The centre, with the Eltham North Reserve to the north - including remnant bushland and open parkland - makes up the major part of the public open space for this area. The council considers this area will become increasingly important to the local community for recreational use.2 Educational programs aim to encourage community involvement to ensure the long-term rehabilitation and protection of natural bushland areas. Edendale is used by people of all ages - from school children to adults - for environmental programs and workshops, as well as for recreation, to enjoy the domestic animals and to picnic. Edendale is also home to the Environmental Works staff who manage reserves and roadsides and support Nillumbik Friends environmental groups. The Friends propagate plants at the nursery, which grows indigenous plants and sells these to the public.3 The centre demonstrates the sustainable living the farm teaches, with features like solar hot water and drive lighting and for the fireplace, logs of recycled cardboard. Edendale has had a varied history as a dog pound and even as a retreat for Thomas Cool, Club Manager of the Victoria Coffee Palace in Melbourne. His single-storey weatherboard house built in 1896, which still stands, was grander than most homes in Eltham. Although such buildings were common in many other parts of Melbourne, Eltham’s poverty and remoteness did not encourage such construction. The Victorian rectangular-shaped house, with a corrugated iron roof and veranda, has elegant large rooms, leadlight windows, ceiling roses, two bay windows and ornately carved wooden fireplace surrounds. Cool bought seven acres (2.8ha) from pioneer Eltham farmer Henry Stooke’s 200 acre (81ha) farm, which he had bought from the Crown in 1852. In 1918 Cool bought an extra seven acres (2.8ha) but in 1919 sold the estate to farmer John Cox. In 1933 Cox sold Edendale to Mrs Elizabeth Gaston, after whom the road leading to the centre was named. The property was owned by several Gaston family members, who called it Edendale, then by a police constable, Douglas Mummery, until the Shire of Eltham bought it in 1970. Oddly Edendale was known as Mummery’s for almost 20 years, although Mummery owned it only for a short time.4 The shire used Edendale as a dog pound until amalgamation with other municipalities in 1996. The pound then moved to the Yan Yean Road, Plenty site, which had been used by the former Diamond Valley Shire Council. To the west and north the centre is bounded by Diamond Creek and on the east by the Melbourne-Hurstbridge railway line. Part of the Research creek forms the centre’s southern boundary.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, edendale farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Alan Marshall by Marcus Skipper (1995) outside Eltham Library, Panther Place, Eltham, 11 October 2006
Sculture in bronze of Alan Marshall by Marcus Skipper, 1995 Alan Marshall, AM., O.B.E., Hon.LL,D. (1902-1984) was born at Noorat, Victoria and became one of Australia's most famous authors. His association with the Eltham area began in 1920 when he started his first job as a junior clerk at the Eltham Shire Offices, Kangaroo Ground. In the 1940's he spent some time living at Research. From 1955 he lived in Eltham for nearly 20 years. Disabilities resulting from polio as a young child did not prevent a wide range of experiences. Alan's occupations have been listed as clerk, night watchman, fortune teller, freelance journalist and author. He has been patron of many disadvantaged Children's Societies. Alan's books are numerous and include novels, short stories, children's books, history and travel. Among the best known are his autobiographies "I Can Jump Puddles" and "This is the Grass". Others include "These are My People", "Ourselves Writ Strange", "People of the Dreamtime"; "The Gay Provider" and "Wild Red Horses". In 1971 he wrote the Centenary History of the Shire of Eltham, "Pioneers and Painters". Covered under National Trust of Australia (Victoria), State significance. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p159 Outside the Eltham Library a bronze figure of a short one-legged man with a crutch invites people to the world of literature. The bronze statue, by Marcus Skipper, is of author Alan Marshall, who is famed for his autobiography I Can Jump Puddles, about growing up and overcoming the effects of polio. That plucky little boy later lived in the Nillumbik district for more than 50 years, and on his death in 1984, was buried in the Nillumbik Cemetery at Diamond Creek. Although a hugely successful author, his grave is modest with only a tiny boulder and simple bronze plaque on a grassed plot. From 1955 to 1972 Marshall lived in a tiny fibro-cement bungalow at the rear of a house at Park West Road, Eltham, owned by his older sister, Elsie McConnell. It was there that he wrote most of his autobiographical trilogy and his history of the former Eltham Shire, Pioneers and Painters. His long association with Eltham Shire began in 1918 when his family moved to Diamond Creek. Then in 1920 he began work as a junior clerk at the Eltham Shire Offices on Main Road, Kangaroo Ground near the Yarra Glen Road, while boarding at the hotel next door. Marshall later bought a block of land in Research, which had three bark huts. In one of these he wrote his first book These Are My People. He later sold the land but lived in a caravan there and in 1955 wrote I Can Jump Puddles.1 Proud of its citizen, the Eltham Shire named a park after Marshall at the corner of Main Road and Leanne Drive, Eltham. In 1985 the Shire initiated the Alan Marshall Short Story Award. It was Marshall’s early life in the country that taught him to live courageously in spite of his crippling polio, and he inspired many. This informed his writing – full of courage, championing the battler and love of the bush. Alan Marshall was born in 1902 at Noorat in Western Victoria, as the only son of Billy a drover, horse breaker, hawker and then general store owner. At the age of six, Marshall contracted infantile paralysis and was later hospitalised in Colac for 18 months. With his father’s encouragement, Marshall learnt to swim, wrestle and box, ride a bicycle (downhill), ride a horse and drive a car. Marshall won a scholarship to Stott’s Correspondence College to study accountancy. To help him continue his studies and find employment, his family bought 12 acres (4.8ha), in Ryans Road, Diamond Creek, opposite Windmill Court. There they ran cows, some poultry and an orchard. But life with a disability and during the Depression was hard for Marshall, who for 20 years, endured long periods of unemployment and loneliness and was often exploited at work.2 However, life improved in the 1930s, when he published short stories and articles in newspapers and magazines, including a column of advice to the lovelorn, which he wrote for nearly 20 years. At age 42 Marshall published his first book and in the next 30 years he published more than 20. His most successful book was I Can Jump Puddles, which sold more than three million copies internationally. It was made into a film, released in 1971, by Czechoslovakian director Karel Kachyna. Marshall was one of the first Australians to write about Aborigines who called him Gurrawilla - teller of tales - when he lived with them in Arnhem Land for eight months.3 In 1941 Marshall married Olive Dixon, with whom he had two daughters, Catherine and Jennifer. Marshall and Olive divorced in 1957. In 1972 Marshall was awarded an OBE for his work with the handicapped. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Melbourne University, an Order of Australia for services to literature and the Soviet Order of Friendship of Peoples.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, alan marshall, art in public places, eltham, eltham library, marcus skipper, panther place, public art, sculpture -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Stuchbery Farm dairy, 14 March 2008
Stuchbery Farm was situated on the Plenty River bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. Alan and Ada Stutchbery moved to the valley in 1890, first living in a tent where four children were born. Alfred built a home and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden and developed a dairy. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species.1 The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841.2 But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well.3 Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia.4 The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, ada stuchbery, alan stuchbery, dairy, stuchbery farm, farm buildings, yarrambat, plenty gorge park -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Blue Lake, Plenty Gorge Park, 2008
A quarry was transformed into the Blue Lake. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species.1 The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841.2 But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well.3 Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia.4 The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, blue lake, plenty gorge park